Method of packaging



G. M. SCHUTTER METHOD OF PACKAGING Filed Sept. 6, 1943 Patented Sept. 11, 1945 METHOD OF PACKAGING George M. Sohutter, Chicag 11]., a'ssignor, by

meme assignments, to Schutter Candy Oompany, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application September 6, 1943, Serial NoJOlAZ! 8Clalml. (01.93-4) This invention relates to a method of packaging and more particularly to a method of packaging articles of confection, such as candy and the like.

,One of the objects of the invention is to provide a new and improved method for packaging articles with a minimum amount of handling.

Another object is to provide a methodv of packaging articles in such a way that the articles are individually separated fromeach other within the package.

Still a further object is to provide a new and improved method for packaging articles in a non-interrupted or continuous manner, using a continuous strip of packaging material fed from a roll.

A more specific object is to provide a method for packaging articles by forming spaced partitions on the end of a continuous strip of packaging material, such as paper, then feeding or inserting continuous strips of an article, such as candy, into the spaces between the partitions, completing formation of the package in continuous strip form, and severing a packaged article of predetermined size from the end of the strip.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent by reference to the following description thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view with parts broken away illustrating the manner in which the invention is practiced;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken along the line 1-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken'along the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 1:

Figure 6 is an enlarged partial section taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 1; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating the completed package.

As illustrated in Figure 1, a strip of paper or other packaging material .A is fed from a roll 2 over a suitable feed roller 4 and thence over a supporting plate 6. Auxiliary strips of paper .13 are fed from auxiliary continuous rolls I through a guide ID by any suitable feeding mechanism, not shown, and are turned at their lower edges I! to coincide with the paper strip A. The partition strips B and the continuous paper strip A preferably have a coating of wax thereon, so

strips 13 pass over the heating element It they are sealed to the paper strip A and thereafter are fed as a part of the paper strip A over an endless belt or other suitable conveying means I through a secondary guide it.

The article, in this case candy strips C, is fed into the space 28 between the partition strips 13 in the form of continuous strips as illustrated in Figure 1. The delivery of the article may be eifected with any suitable type of article delivery mechanism or feeding mechanism.

A top strip of paper D is thereafter fed over the top of the candy strips C toprovide the top layer of the package. The top layer D is also fed from a continuous roll of paper or other packaging material, not shown, by any suitable type of feeding mechanism including the feed roller 22. Thereafter the marginal edges 24 and 2! of thepaper strip A are turned over the top layer D by means of folders 28 and 30. or any other suitable type of folding mechanism and the candy package is preferably compressed by means of side bars 32 and it (see Figure 5) which are urged toward each other by suitable springs 36 and SI mounted on studs or bolts 40 and it. It willbeunderstoodthatapairofsprings 8i and II, such as illustrated in Figure 5, is provided sdiacent each end of the side bar members it After the continuous package has been formed in the manner described. packages of predetermined size are severed from the end thereof by any suitable severing means, such as a reciprocating knife 48 which preferably operates instantaneously so as not to interfere with the continuous movement of the package on the rear side of the knife. Instead of a reciprocating knife a continuously rotating knife may be employed, or any other suitable type of severing mechanism may be used.

As will be. understood, the severed packages E shown in Figure '1 may be further wrapped with an outside label in any suitable manner. The invention is especially suited forthe manufacture of candy bars from a candy materai of a tafly-like or flexible nature which may be readily cut into continuous strips and fed into the channels or spaces formed by the partitions B.

The general method described may be practiced form of apparatus which may be employed in practicing the general principles of the invention in its broader aspects is described in detail in an application of Eugene J. Rebechini, Serial No. 501,421, flied of even date herewith.

While the invention is especially suited for packaging candy, and the like, with a paper packaging material, preferably one which is waxed, it will be understood that other types of packaging materials may be used, as for example, regenerated cellulose, cellulose acetate, and rubber hydrohalides (Pliofllm). It is preferable to use a material which is sufliciently thermoplastic to permit heat scaling in the manner previously described, although it will be understood that in some instances the heat sealing operation may be omitted. In the broader aspects of the invention it is not absolutely essential to fasten the partition strips B to the continuous paper strip A, or

where they are fastened together an adhesive may be employed instead of heat sealing. It is also contemplated in accordance with the practice of the invention that the continuous strips B can be introduced between the article strips C after the latter have been disposed at spaced intervals on the continuous paper strip A but before the application of the top sheet D. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The invention provides a new and useful method of packaging candy or other suitable types of articles in a continuous manner and greatly reduces the labor and expense heretofore required in making such packages.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A method of packaging which comprises forming partitions spaced laterally and extending lengthwise on the end of a continuous strip of flexible sheet material, inserting an article into the spaces between said partitions and then completing the formation of the package.

2. A method of packing which comprises forming a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinally extending partitions on the end of a continuous strip of flexible sheet material, inserting articles into the spaces between said partitions, completing the formation of the package in continuous strip form, and severing packaged articles of predetermined size from the .end of said strip.

"' 3. The method of packaging which comprises continuously forming laterally spaced channels lengthwise in a continuous strip of packaging material, continuously introducing articles in continuous strip form into said channels, completing the formation of a packaged material in continuous strip form after the insertion of said articles, and severing packaged articles of predetermined size from the end of said continuous strip of packaged material.

4. A method of packaging which comprises continuously forming laterally spaced vertically extending partitions on the end of a continuous strip of packaging material, continuously inserting articles into the spaces between said partitions. continuously supplying a second continuous strip of packing material over the top of said channels containing said articles, folding marginal portions of said flrst continuous strip of packaging material over said second continuous strip, and severing packaged articles transversely from the end of the resultant continuous package.

5. A method of packaging which comprises continuously forming laterally spaced partitions on the end of a continuous strip of packaging material, continuously inserting articles in continuous strip form into the spaces bounded by said partitions, continuously supplying a second continuous strip of packaging material over the top of said articles, folding marginal portions of said first continuous strip of packaging material to coincidewith said second continuous strip, sealing said strips together and severing packaged articles transversely from the end of the resultant continuous package.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 in which said continuous strips of packaging material are thermoplastic and are heat sealed together prior to said severing operation.

7. A method of packaging candy which comprises forming laterally spaced partitions lengthwise of the end of a continuous strip of packaging material, continuously inserting candy in continuous strip form into the spaces between said partitions, continuously supplying a second continuous strip of packaging material over the top of said candy, folding marginal portions of said first continuous strip of packaging material over said second continuous strip, and severing packaged articles transversely from the end of the resultant continuous package.

8. A method of packaging candy which oomprises forming partitions extending longitudinally and spaced laterally on a continuous strip of packaging material, feeding strips-0f candy onto said continuous strip of packaging material in the spaces between said partitions, thereafter completing the formation at a continuous package in continuous strip form, and severing individual packages transversely of the strip at predetermined intervals froinsaid continuous package.

GEORGE M. SCHUT'I'ER. 

